Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will start with housing. It takes up a substantial portion of the report, which is fair given the current scenario. The level of rent increases and family homelessness were noted and since the report was drafted, a number of months ago, the situation has actually deteriorated. At the moment there are some 700 families in homelessness, with a prediction for 1,000 by Christmas. Mr. Ginnell mentioned the issue of supply but it will take at least two or three years to improve the supply of housing. Has he considered supporting the concept of rent certainty, limiting the extent of rent increases to prevent people becoming economically evicted? That is happening at the moment because, according to the most recent statistics, average rent increases in Dublin are in the region of 15%. Would the organisation to which Mr. Ginnell belongs be prepared to row in behind that proposal?

Low work intensity households are an issue of major concern and are something we have struggled with as a country even since the Celtic tiger years, when we had the second highest level of low work intensity. Other members have identified the high numbers of lone parents as the major issue contributing to low work intensity. Does Mr. Ginnell feel that the recent measures will assist with this issue or not?